Flexible substrate connectors

ABSTRACT

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed including a connector for a flexible substrate including a first connector piece including a first plurality of through holes and a second connector piece including a second plurality of through holes, the second connector piece disposable in opposition to the first connector piece to align the first plurality of through holes and the second plurality of through holes to define, via the first plurality of through holes and the second plurality of through holes, a grommet and a plurality of fastener receivers. The connector also includes a channel, defined at least in part by the first connector piece, extending across the first connector piece.

RELATED APPLICATION

This patent claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 62/402,349, filed on Sep. 30, 2016. Priority to U.S. PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/402,349 is claimed under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e).U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/402,349 is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to connectors, and, more particularly,to flexible substrate connectors.

BACKGROUND

FIG. 1 shows a tarpaulin (hereinafter “tarp”) 100 comprising a flexiblesubstrate 110, such as canvas, polyester, nylon, vinyl or wovenpolyethylene. Grommets 120 are formed around a periphery of the tarp100, such as at the corners and along the sides of the tarp 100, to formattachment points for rope, cord or fittings (e.g., D-loop fitting, PVCcoated steel hooks, stainless steel hooks, plastic hooks, “S” hooks,carabiners, etc.) to allow the tarp 100 to be tied down or suspended.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a known tarp.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an example flexible substrateincluding example connectors constructed in accordance with teachings ofthis disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an example first connector,constructed in accordance with teachings of this disclosure, attached toa periphery of the flexible substrate of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4A is an exploded illustration of parts of the first connector ofFIG. 3 prior to connection of the first connector to the flexiblesubstrate of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4B is an illustration of an example intermediary stage ofconnection of an example second connection piece of FIG. 4A to theexample flexible substrate, wherein a corner of the example flexiblesubstrate of FIG. 2 is wrapped around an example retainer.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an example second connector,constructed in accordance with teachings of this disclosure, attached toa periphery the flexible substrate of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an exploded illustration of parts of the second connector ofFIG. 5 prior to connection of the second connector to the flexiblesubstrate of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart representative of steps to implement the exampleconnectors disclosed herein in accordance with teachings of thisdisclosure.

The figures are not to scale. Wherever possible, the same referencenumbers will be used throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying writtendescription to refer to the same or like parts. As used in this patent,stating that any part is in any way positioned on (e.g., positioned on,located on, disposed on, etc.) another part, indicates that thereferenced part is either in contact with the other part, or that thereferenced part is above the other part with one or more intermediatepart(s) located therebetween. Stating that any part is in contact withanother part means that there is no intermediate part between the twoparts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As noted above, the tarp 100 of FIG. 1 can be tied down or suspended viarope or cords attached to the grommets 120 formed around a periphery ofthe tarp 100. However, under large loadings, such as a gust of windacting upon the large surface area of the tarp 100, forces applied byrope or cord attached to the grommets 120 (e.g., attached directly via aknot or via a fitting) may be sufficient to tear out one or more of thegrommets 120, rendering the tarp 100 unsuitable for its intendedpurpose. Moreover, a loss of one grommet 120 may increase a load borneby the remaining grommets 120 responsive to subsequent loading,potentially increasing forces on the remaining grommets 120 and apotential for failure of additional grommets 120.

FIG. 2 shows an apparatus, an example tarp 200 as depicted, comprisingan example flexible substrate 210. In some examples, the flexiblesubstrate 210 includes canvas, ripstop canvas, polyethylene, polyester,polyester coated with polyurethane, polyester oxford, nylon, nylon 6,nylon 66, nylon coated with polyurethane, ripstop nylon, ripstop fabric,polyvinylchloride and/or vinyl. In some examples, the flexible substrate210 may include an example reinforced periphery 215 including areinforcing material (e.g., material applique, an integrated rope, anintegrated cable, folded and doubled stitched edges, interwoven hightensile materials, etc.). In other examples, the flexible substrate 210may include a portion of (e.g., a tab, a strap, tie down, etc.) a tent,a hammock, luggage, a duffle bag, a parachute, an amusement device(e.g., in inflatable “bounce house,” etc.), a cargo cover or a covering.

FIG. 2 also shows example connectors 220, constructed in accordance withteachings of this disclosure, disposed at and connected to a peripheryof the example flexible substrate 210. The connectors 220 in FIG. 2include an example first connector 230 and an example second connector240. The second connector 240 is disposed at and connected to aperiphery of a side of the flexible substrate 210 and the firstconnector 230 is disposed at, and connected to, a periphery of a cornerof the flexible substrate 210. In some examples, such as is partiallyshown in the example apparatus of FIG. 2, a plurality of the firstconnectors 230 are disposed at and connected to different side portionsof a periphery of the flexible substrate 210 and a plurality of thesecond connectors 240 are disposed at and connected to different cornersof the flexible substrate 210. For instance, the flexible substrate 210(e.g., an example tarp 200, etc.) may include four, six, eight or morefirst connectors 230 disposed at, and connected to, different sideportions of a periphery the flexible substrate 210 and/or may includefour second connectors 240 disposed at, and connected to, cornerportions at the periphery the flexible substrate 210. The number offirst connectors 230 and second connectors 240 used for a particularapparatus may vary responsive to a size, material and/or an intended useof the flexible substrate 210. For instance, an example 10′×20′ tarp mayadvantageously employ fourteen or more of the first connectors 230 andfour of the second connectors 240, while an example 10′×10′ tarp mayemploy eight of the first connectors 230 and four of the secondconnectors 240.

FIG. 3 shows the first connector 230 of FIG. 2 attached to a peripheryof the tarp 200 of FIG. 2 at a corner of the tarp 200. The firstconnector 230 defines a generally hexagonal shape and includes anexample raised edge portion 300. In other examples, the first connector230 may include a different shape, such as a square, circle, oval,diamond, polygon, rhomboid or quadrilateral shape. The first connector230 of FIG. 3 includes an example first cutout 301 and an example secondcutout 302 corresponding in location and dimension to receive reinforcedperiphery 215 material (e.g., an integrated rope or cable, folded anddoubled stitched edges, etc.) of the flexible substrate 210. In someexamples, in which the first connector 230 is to be connected to aflexible substrate 210 that is substantially planar at a periphery ofthe flexible substrate 210, the first cutout 301 and the second cutout302 may be omitted.

The first connector 230 includes an example grommet 310 that includes anexample boss 312 or reinforced wall and defines an example through hole314. The through hole 314 of the grommet 310 may receive, for example, atensile member (e.g., a rope, cord, cable, strap, etc.) directly orindirectly via an intermediary fitting (e.g., a D-loop fitting, PVCcoated steel hook, stainless steel hook, plastic hook, “S” hook,carabiner, etc.). While the through hole 314 in the grommet 310 is shownto be circular in cross-section, the through hole 314 may include othercross-sectional shapes (e.g., oval, polygonal, etc.).

Adjacent the example grommet 310 are an example first fastener receiver316 including an example boss 318 or reinforced wall and defining anexample through hole 320 and an example second fastener receiver 322including an example boss 324 or reinforced wall and defining an examplethrough hole 326. In another portion of the example first connector 230are formed an example third fastener receiver 328 including an exampleboss 330 or reinforced wall and defining an example through hole 332, anexample fourth fastener receiver 333 defining an example through hole334 through the example raised edge portion 300, and an example fifthfastener receiver 335 defining an example through hole 336 through theexample raised edge portion 300. Example mechanical fasteners 340 aredisposed through each of the first fastener receiver 316, the secondfastener receiver 322, the third fastener receiver 328, the fourthfastener receiver 333, and the fifth fastener receiver 335 to connectthe first connector 230 to the flexible substrate 210. In some examples,the mechanical fasteners 340 include a rivet (e.g., a blind rivet, asemi-tubular rivet, a solid rivet, a drive rivet, etc.), a bolt or apin.

FIG. 3 also shows that the first connector 230 defines an examplechannel 350 extending across the first connector 230. An exampleretainer 360 is disposed in the channel 350, as discussed below in FIGS.4A-4B. The raised edge portion 300 also shows example punch out holes370, 372, 374, 376 corresponding to male connectors formed via anexample injection molding process on an interior of a second connectorpiece, discussed below in FIGS. 4A-4B. In some examples, the punch outholes 370, 372, 374, 376 are omitted.

FIG. 4A shows an exploded illustration of example parts of the firstconnector 230 of FIG. 3 prior to connection of the first connector 230to the tarp 200 of FIG. 2. The first connector 230 is shown to includean example first connector piece 400 and an example second connectorpiece 401 constructed to matingly connect with one another. In someexamples, the first connector piece 400 and the second connector piece401 are formed from a metal, a metal powder, an alloy or a polymer, suchas a thermoplastic polymer or a thermosetting polymer, a high-densitypolyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene, and/or polyvinyl chloride. The firstconnector piece 400 and the second connector piece 401 are formed via amanufacturing process appropriate to the selected material(s) (e.g.,injection molding, compression molding, 3-D printing, powder compactionvia die pressing, etc.).

The first connector piece 400 includes a first plurality of examplethrough holes 402, 404, 406, 408, 410 and 412. The second connectorpiece 401 includes a second plurality of example through holes 414, 416,418, 420, 422 and 424. The second connector piece 401 is disposable inopposition to the first connector piece 400 to align the first pluralityof through holes 402, 404, 406, 408, 410 and 412 and the secondplurality of through holes 414, 416, 418, 420, 422 and 424 to define,via the first plurality of through holes 402, 404, 406, 408, 410 and 412and the second plurality of through holes 414, 416, 418, 420, 422 and424, the grommet through hole 314 and the plurality of fastenerreceivers 316, 322, 328, 333 and 335. FIGS. 4A-4B show that the channel350 is defined at least in part by the first connector piece 400 andextends across the first connector piece 400. In some examples, thechannel 350 is defined by the first connector piece 400 and the secondconnector piece 401 in combination and occupies an open space definedtherebetween. In FIGS. 4A-4B, the channel 350 is shown to extend acrossthe second connector 401 from the first cutout 301 to the second cutout302, forming a pathway to accommodate a periphery of the flexiblesubstrate 210, which may include a reinforced periphery 215, and moreparticularly to accommodate a periphery of the flexible substrate 210that is at least partially folded over the retainer 360, such as isshown by way of example in FIG. 4B. In some examples, the channel 350and/or the retainer 360 is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3 and as indicated in FIG. 4A, the channel 350 is toreceive the retainer 360, which is dimensioned to fit in the channel350. In FIGS. 3 and 4A, the retainer 360 is shown to include arectangular block that may be hollow, hollow with reinforcing ribs, orsolid. In some examples, the retainer 360 includes other shapes such as,but not limited to a cylinder or a polygonal bar (e.g., a pentagonalbar, a hexagonal bar, etc.). In some examples, the retainer 360 isformed from the same material used to form the first connector piece 400and the second connector piece 401. In some examples, the retainer 360is formed from a different material that that used to form the firstconnector piece 400 and the second connector piece 401.

In the example of FIG. 4A, the first connector piece 400 and the secondconnector piece 401 are shown to be separate pieces. In some examples,the first connector piece 400 and the second connector piece 401 areformed as a single piece in a clamshell configuration wherein the firstconnector piece 400 and the second connector piece 401 are connected bya hinge. The hinge is naturally disposed at an end of the firstconnector 230 that is to reside outside of a physical extent of theflexible substrate 210. In some examples, the first connector piece 400and the second connector piece 401 are separate pieces, such as shown inFIG. 4A, with each of the first connector piece 400 and the secondconnector piece 401 including knuckles constructed to interlock with oneanother and to receive a pin inserted along an axial direction.

Included in the channel 350 are a first limiter 426 to limit lateralmovement of the retainer 360 in a first direction and a second limiter428 to limit lateral movement of the retainer 360 in a second direction.The first limiter 426 and/or the second limiter 428 may be formed on thefirst connector piece 400 and/or the second connector piece 401. In theexample of FIG. 4A, the first limiter 426 and the second limiter 428 areformed on the second connector piece 401. While the first limiter 426and the second limiter 428 are represented as walls, the first limiter426 and the second limiter 428 may include other configurations such as,but not limited to, a post or a protuberance extending into the channel350.

FIG. 4A shows that the second connector piece 401 includes example maleconnectors 430, 432, 434, 436 disposed adjacent a periphery of one sideof the second connector piece 401 in positions corresponding to examplemating female connectors 440, 442, 444, 446 formed in the firstconnector piece 400 adjacent a periphery of a corresponding side of thefirst connector piece 400. While four male connectors 430, 432, 434, 436and four female connectors 440, 442, 444, 446 are depicted in FIGS. 3and 4A, a greater number or a lesser number of male connectors and/orfemale connectors may be used. In some examples, one or more of, or allof, the male connectors 430, 432, 434, 436 and four female connectors440, 442, 444, 446 are omitted. While an example of male connectors andfemale connectors are represented in FIG. 4A, other types of maleconnectors and female connectors may be used including, but not limitedto, receptacles or indentations and bosses or protrusions. In someexamples, such as in the example of FIGS. 4A-4B, one or more the maleconnectors 430, 432, 434, 436 connect to one or more the femaleconnectors 440, 442, 444, 446 without passing through the flexiblesubstrate 210.

In some examples, peripheral portions or edges of the first connectorpiece 400 and the second connector piece 401 include male and femaleelements, or friction fit elements, that engage one another tofacilitate connection between the first connector piece 400 and thesecond connector piece 401. In some examples, instead of using maleconnectors (e.g., 430, 432, 434, 436) and female connectors (e.g., 440,442, 444, 446), the first connector piece 400 and the second connectorpiece 401 may be bonded together via an adhesive or welded (e.g.,ultrasonic welding, hot gas welding, etc.) together at abutting portionsthat are disposed externally beyond the periphery (e.g., the reinforcedperiphery 215) of the flexible substrate 210.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4A, the first connector 230 includesfastener receivers (e.g., 316, 322) on a first side of the channel 350and includes fastener receivers (e.g., 328, 333, 335) on a second sideof the channel 350. A greater number, or a lesser number (e.g., one,two, three, four), of fastener receivers may be used in accord with theteachings herein. The fastener receivers 316, 322, 328, 333, 335distribute forces acting upon the grommet 310 over a larger surface areaof the flexible substrate 210 that conventional grommet configurationsthat focus forces onto a small portion of the flexible substrate 210.FIG. 4A also shows example reinforcing structures 460 (e.g., reinforcingribs, etc.) distributed about the second connection piece 401. Alternateconfigurations of reinforcing structures 460 may be used in the firstconnection piece 400 and/or the second connection piece 401 to impact adesired structural stiffness to satisfy a respective design envelope.

FIG. 4B shows an example intermediary stage of connection of the examplesecond connector 401 of FIG. 4A to the flexible substrate 210, whereinan example corner of the flexible substrate 210 of FIGS. 2-3 is wrappedaround the retainer 360. In other examples, the corner of the flexiblesubstrate 210 is only partially wrapped around the retainer 360. Forinstance, the corner of the flexible substrate 210 may contact only 3sides of the retainer 360, or may contact less than seventy-five percentof the periphery of the retainer 360. The retainer 360 and correspondingportion of the flexible substrate 210 are then disposed in the channel350, wherein movement of the retainer 360 is constrained laterally bythe first limiter 426 and the second limiter 428. When assembled withthe first connector piece 400 and insertion of the mechanical fasteners340 in the first fastener receiver 316, the second fastener receiver322, the third fastener receiver 328, the fourth fastener receiver 333and the fifth fastener receiver 335 to connect the first connector piece400, the second connector piece 401, and the flexible substrate 210, theretainer 360 helps to anchor the flexible substrate 210 in place andresist tear out of the first connector 230.

Following the example intermediary stage of connection of the examplesecond connector 401 of FIG. 4A to the flexible substrate 210 shown inFIG. 4B, holes may optionally be formed in the flexible substrate 210 atpositions corresponding to the through holes 420, 422, 424 disposedbeneath the flexible substrate 210. In some examples, the corner portionof the flexible substrate 210 may be cut, trimmed, folded or modified,before or after the intermediary stage represented in FIG. 4B, toconform to an interior geometry of the first connector 230 realized byconnection of the first connection piece 400 to the second connectionpiece 401 to form the first connector 230.

FIG. 5 shows the second connector 240 of FIG. 2 attached to a peripherythe flexible substrate 210 along a side of the flexible substrate 210.The second connector 240 defines a generally square or rectangular shapeand includes an example raised edge portion 500. In other examples, thesecond connector 240 may include a different shape, such as a square,circle, oval, polygon, diamond, rhomboid or quadrilateral shape. Thesecond connector 240 of FIG. 5 includes an example first cutout 501 andan example second cutout 502 corresponding in location and dimension toreceive reinforced periphery 215 material (e.g., an integrated rope orcable, folded and doubled stitched edges, etc.) of the flexiblesubstrate 210. The reinforced periphery 215 extends across the secondconnector 240 through the first cutout 501 and the second cutout 502 viaan example channel 503 defined in the second connector 240 to extendacross the second connector 240 from the first cutout 501 to the secondcutout 502. In some examples, where the second connector 240 is to beconnected to a flexible substrate 210 that is substantially planar at aperiphery of the flexible substrate 210, the first cutout 501 and thesecond cutout 502 may be omitted.

The second connector 240 includes an example grommet 504 that includesan example boss 506 or reinforced wall and defines an example throughhole 508. The through hole 508 of the grommet 504 may receive, forexample, a tensile member (e.g., a rope, cord, cable, strap, etc.)directly or indirectly via an intermediary fitting (e.g., a D-loopfitting, PVC coated steel hook, stainless steel hook, plastic hook, “S”hook, carabiner, etc.). While the through hole 508 in the grommet 504 isshown to be circular in cross-section, the through hole 508 may includeother cross-sectional shapes (e.g., oval, polygonal, etc.). Adjacent theexample grommet 504 are an example first female connector 510 and anexample second female connector 512. The grommet 504, the first femaleconnector 510 and the second female connector 512 are all disposed on afirst side of the channel 503 defined in the second connector 240 toextend across the second connector 240.

On a second side of the channel 503 is a first fastener receiver 530including an example boss 532 or reinforced wall and defining an examplethrough hole 534 and an example second fastener receiver 536 includingan example boss 538 or reinforced wall and defining an example throughhole 540. Example mechanical fasteners 550 are disposed through each ofthe first fastener receiver 530 and the second fastener receiver 536 toconnect the second connector 240 to the flexible substrate 210. In someexamples, the mechanical fasteners 550 include a rivet (e.g., a blindrivet, a semi-tubular rivet, a solid rivet, a drive rivet, etc.), a boltor a pin.

FIG. 6 shows an exploded illustration of example parts of the secondconnector 240 of FIG. 2 prior to connection of the second connector 240to the tarp 200 of FIG. 2. The second connector 240 is shown to includean example first connector piece 601 and an example second connectorpiece 602 constructed to matingly connect with one another. In someexamples, the first connector piece 601 and the second connector piece602 are formed from a metal, a metal powder, an alloy or a polymer, suchas a thermoplastic polymer or a thermosetting polymer, a high-densitypolyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene, and/or polyvinyl chloride. The firstconnector piece 601 and the second connector piece 602 are formed via amanufacturing process appropriate to the selected material(s) (e.g.,injection molding, compression molding, 3-D printing, powder compactionvia die pressing, etc.).

The first connector piece 601 defines a first plurality of examplethrough holes 603, 605, 606, in addition to example female connectors,607 and 608, which may or may not include through holes. The secondconnector piece 602 defines a second plurality of example through holes609, 610 and 611. The second connector piece 602 also defines an exampleannular member 620 configured as a male annulus dimensioned forinsertion into the boss 506 of the grommet 504. The second connectorpiece 602 is disposable in opposition to the first connector piece 601to align the first plurality of through holes 603, 605 and 606 withcorresponding ones of the second plurality of through holes 609, 610 and611 to define the grommet 504 through hole 508, the first fastenerreceiver 530 and the second fastener receiver 536. FIG. 6 shows that thechannel 503 is defined at least in part by the first connector piece601. In some examples, the channel 503 is defined by the first connectorpiece 601 and the second connector piece 602 in combination and occupiesan open space defined therebetween. In FIG. 6, the channel 503 is shownto extend across the second connector 602 from the first cutout 501 tothe second cutout 502, forming a pathway to accommodate a periphery ofthe flexible substrate 210, which may include a reinforced periphery215. Whereas the first connector 230 of FIG. 4B shows an example wherethe flexible substrate 210 is at least partially folded over a retainer360, the second connector 240 of FIGS. 5-6 does not use a retainer and,instead, the channel 503 receives the reinforced periphery 215 of theflexible substrate 210. In some examples, the channel 350 and/or theretainer 360 is omitted.

In the example of FIG. 6, the first connector piece 601 and the secondconnector piece 602 are shown to be separate pieces. In some examples,the first connector piece 601 and the second connector piece 602 areformed as a single piece in a clamshell configuration wherein the firstconnector piece 601 and the second connector piece 602 are connected bya hinge. The hinge is naturally disposed at an end of the firstconnector 230 that is to reside outside of a physical extent of theflexible substrate 210. In some examples, the first connector piece 601and the second connector piece 602 are separate pieces, such as shown inFIG. 6, with each of the first connector piece 601 and the secondconnector piece 602 including knuckles constructed to interlock with oneanother and to receive a pin inserted along an axial direction.

FIG. 6 shows that the second connector piece 602 includes example maleconnectors 630, 640 disposed adjacent a periphery of the second side ofthe channel 503 of the first connector piece 601 in positionscorresponding to the mating female connectors, 608 formed in the firstconnector piece 601 adjacent a periphery of a corresponding side of thefirst connector piece 601. The female connectors 607, 608 may includethrough holes, as shown in FIG. 6, or may include receptacles formedinternally to the first connector piece 601. While two male connectors630, 640 and two female connectors 607, 608 are depicted in FIG. 6, agreater number or a lesser number of male connectors and/or femaleconnectors may be used. In some examples, the second connector includesno male and female connectors or may include one or more male connectorsand female connectors. While an example of male connectors and femaleconnectors are represented in FIG. 6, other types of male connectors andfemale connectors may be used including, but not limited to, receptaclesor indentations and bosses or protrusions. In some examples, such as inthe example of FIGS. 5-6, one or more the male connectors 630, 640connect to one or more the female connectors 607, 608 without passingthrough the flexible substrate 210.

In some examples, peripheral portions or edges of the first connectorpiece 601 and the second connector piece 602 include male and femaleelements, or friction fit elements, that engage one another tofacilitate connection between the first connector piece 601 and thesecond connector piece 602. In some examples, instead of using maleconnectors (e.g., 630, 640) and female connectors (e.g., 607, 608), thefirst connector piece 601 and the second connector piece 602 may bebonded together via an adhesive or welded (e.g., ultrasonic welding, hotgas welding, etc.) together at abutting portions that are disposedexternally beyond the periphery (e.g., the reinforced periphery 215) ofthe flexible substrate 210.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the second connector 240 includesfastener receivers (e.g., 530, 536) on a second side of the channel 503.A greater number, or a lesser number (e.g., one, three, etc.), offastener receivers may be used in accord with the teachings herein. Thefastener receivers 530, 536 distribute forces acting upon the grommet504 over a larger surface area of the flexible substrate 210 thatconventional grommet configurations that focus forces onto a smallportion of the flexible substrate 210.

A flowchart representative of example instructions, such as but notlimited to machine readable instructions, for forming the firstconnector 230 and the second connector 240 of FIGS. 2-6 is shown in FIG.7. In some examples, the instructions comprise a program for executionby a processor implemented by hardware including one or more integratedcircuits, logic circuits, microprocessors or controllers from anydesired family or manufacturer. The hardware processor may be asemiconductor based (e.g., silicon based) device. The program may beembodied in software stored on a non-transitory computer readablestorage medium such as a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a hard drive, a digitalversatile disk (DVD), a Blu-ray disk, or a memory associated with theprocessor, but the entire program and/or parts thereof couldalternatively be executed by a device other than the processor and/orembodied in firmware or dedicated hardware. The processor includes alocal memory (e.g., a cache) and communicates with a main memoryincluding a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory via a bus. Thevolatile memory may be implemented by Synchronous Dynamic Random AccessMemory (SDRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), RAMBUS DynamicRandom Access Memory (RDRAM) and/or any other type of random accessmemory device. The non-volatile memory may be implemented by flashmemory and/or any other desired type of memory device. Access to themain memory is controlled by a memory controller.

Further, although the example program is described with reference to theflowchart illustrated in FIG. 7, many other methods of implementing theexample first connector 230 and the second connector 240 of FIGS. 2-6may alternatively be used. For example, the order of execution of theblocks may be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may bechanged, eliminated, or combined. Additionally or alternatively, any orall of the blocks may be implemented by one or more hardware circuits(e.g., discrete and/or integrated analog and/or digital circuitry, aField Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application Specific Integratedcircuit (ASIC), a comparator, an operational-amplifier (op-amp), a logiccircuit, etc.) structured to perform the corresponding operation withoutexecuting software or firmware.

A processor platform (e.g., a server, a personal computer, a machine,industrial equipment, a mobile device (e.g., a cell phone, a smartphone, a tablet device, etc.) utilizing the processor includes aninterface circuit implemented by any type of interface standard, such asan Ethernet interface, a universal serial bus (USB), and/or a PCIexpress interface. One or more input devices are connected to theinterface circuit to permit a user to enter data and/or commands intothe processor. The input device(s) can be implemented by, for example,an audio sensor, a microphone, a camera (still or video), a keyboard, abutton, a mouse, a touchscreen, a track-pad, a trackball, isopointand/or a voice recognition system. One or more output devices are alsoconnected to the interface circuit and include, for example, displaydevices (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED), an organic light emittingdiode (OLED), a liquid crystal display, a cathode ray tube display(CRT), a touchscreen, a tactile output device, a printer and/orspeakers). The interface circuit may also include a graphics drivercard, a graphics driver chip and/or a graphics driver processor. Theinterface circuit may also include a communication device such as atransmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, a modem and/or network interfacecard to facilitate exchange of data with external machines (e.g.,computing devices of any kind) via a network (e.g., an Ethernetconnection, a digital subscriber line (DSL), a telephone line, coaxialcable, a cellular telephone system, etc.).

The processor platform also includes one or more mass storage devicesfor storing software and/or data. Examples of such mass storage devicesinclude floppy disk drives, hard drive disks, compact disk drives,Blu-ray disk drives, RAID systems, and digital versatile disk (DVD)drives. Coded instructions, such as the instructions of FIG. 7, may bestored in the mass storage device, in the volatile memory, in thenon-volatile memory, and/or on a removable tangible computer readablestorage medium such as a CD or DVD. The example processes of FIG. 7 maybe implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer and/or machinereadable instructions) stored on a non-transitory computer and/ormachine readable medium such as a hard disk drive, a flash memory, aread-only memory, a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a cache, arandom-access memory and/or any other storage device or storage disk inwhich information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended timeperiods, permanently, for brief instances, for temporarily buffering,and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, the termnon-transitory computer readable medium is expressly defined to includeany type of computer readable storage device and/or storage disk and toexclude propagating signals and to exclude transmission media.“Including” and “comprising” (and all forms and tenses thereof) are usedherein to be open ended terms. Thus, whenever a claim lists anythingfollowing any form of “include” or “comprise” (e.g., comprises,includes, comprising, including, etc.), it is to be understood thatadditional elements, terms, etc. may be present without falling outsidethe scope of the corresponding claim. As used herein, when the phrase“at least” is used as the transition term in a preamble of a claim, itis open-ended in the same manner as the term “comprising” and“including” are open ended.

The instructions 700 of FIG. 7 concerning a method of forming aconnector (e.g., the first connector 230, the second connector 240,etc.) for a flexible substrate 210, may be implemented manually or viaone or more processor-controlled machines.

Block 710 includes disposing a first connector piece (e.g., 601) on atop surface of a flexible substrate 210 at a first peripheral portion ofthe flexible substrate 210 (e.g., a predetermined position at a side ofthe flexible substrate, etc.), the first connector piece 601 defining afirst plurality of through holes 603, 605 and 606.

At block 720, a second connector piece (e.g., 602) is aligned on abottom surface of the flexible substrate 210 at the first peripheralportion in opposition to the first connector piece 601, the secondconnector piece 602 defining a second plurality of through holes 609,610 and 611.

At block 730, a plurality of through holes are formed in the flexiblesubstrate 210 at positions corresponding to the first plurality ofthrough holes 603, 605 and 606 and the second plurality of through holes609, 610 and 611. In some examples, the plurality of through holes areformed in the flexible substrate 210 following and alignment of thefirst connector piece 601 and the second connector piece 602 orfollowing an initial connection of the first connector piece 601 and thesecond connector piece 602 via the male/female connector(s) (e.g., 607,608, 630, 640). For instance, following connection of the firstconnector piece 601 and the second connector piece 602, a drill bit or apunch is inserted through the through holes 534, 540 of the secondconnector 240 and passed through the flexible substrate 210. In someexamples, the plurality of through holes are formed in the flexiblesubstrate 210 prior to assembly of the flexible substrate 210 with thefirst connector piece 601 and the second connector piece 602.

At block 740, the first connector piece 601 and the second connectorpiece 602 are secured to the flexible substrate 210 via mechanicalfasteners (e.g., 550) inserted through the first plurality of throughholes (e.g., 605, 610), the second plurality of through holes (e.g.,606, 611) and the plurality of through holes in the flexible substrate.

The instructions above in blocks 710-740 are also applicable to theconnection of the first connector 230 to the flexible substrate 210.

In some examples, additional instructions are performed. For instance,the connection of the first connector piece 400 and the second connectorpiece 401 includes positioning of the retainer 360 on the flexiblesubstrate 210 and within the channel 350 prior to the forming of theplurality of through holes in the flexible substrate 210 at block 730 orprior to the securing of the first connector piece 400 and the secondconnector piece 401 to the flexible substrate 210 via mechanicalfasteners 340 at block 740. In some examples, following positioning ofthe retainer 360 on the flexible substrate 210 and within the channel350, the flexible substrate 210 is folded over the retainer 360 prior tothe forming of the plurality of through holes in the flexible substrate210 at block 730 or prior to the securing of the first connector piece400 and the second connector piece 401 to the flexible substrate 210 viamechanical fasteners 340 at block 740.

In some examples, blocks 710-740 are repeated to connect a plurality ofconnectors 220 to the flexible substrate 210, such as is shown by way ofexample in FIG. 2. For example, a first connector (e.g., 230, 240, etc.)is disposed at a first position at a periphery 215 of the flexiblesubstrate 210, a second connector (e.g., 230, 240, etc.) is disposed ata second position at a periphery 215 of the flexible substrate 210, athird connector (e.g., 230, 240, etc.) is disposed at a third positionat a periphery of the flexible substrate, and a fourth connector (e.g.,230, 240, etc.) is disposed at a fourth position at a periphery of theflexible substrate. The apparatus of claim 15, further including a fifthconnector disposed at a fifth position at a periphery of the flexiblesubstrate, a sixth connector disposed at a sixth position at a peripheryof the flexible substrate, a seventh connector disposed at a seventhposition at a periphery of the flexible substrate, and an eighthconnector is disposed at an eighth position at a periphery of theflexible substrate. In some examples, the first through fourth positionsnoted above may represent four corners of a square or rectangularflexible substrate 210 and the fifth through eighth positions notedabove may represent four middle portions of the four sides of a squareor rectangular flexible substrate 210.

Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacturehave been disclosed herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is notlimited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods,apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope ofthe claims of this patent.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connector for a flexible substrate, comprising:a first connector piece including a first plurality of through holes; asecond connector piece including a second plurality of through holes,the second connector piece disposable in opposition to the firstconnector piece to align the first plurality of through holes and thesecond plurality of through holes to define, via the first plurality ofthrough holes and the second plurality of through holes, a grommet and aplurality of fastener receivers; and a channel, defined at least in partby the first connector piece, extending across the first connectorpiece.
 2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the first connector pieceand the second connector piece are separate pieces.
 3. The connector ofclaim 1, wherein the first connector piece and the second connectorpiece are connected by a hinge.
 4. The connector of claim 1, furtherincluding a retainer dimensioned to fit in the channel.
 5. The connectorof claim 4, wherein the channel includes a first limiter to limitlateral movement of the retainer in a first direction and a secondlimiter to limit lateral movement of the retainer in a second direction.6. The connector of claim 1, wherein the second connector piece includesa male connector disposed adjacent a periphery of the second connectorpiece and the first connector piece includes a female connector disposedadjacent a periphery of the first connector piece.
 7. The connector ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the grommet or the plurality offastener receivers includes a boss or a reinforced wall.
 8. Theconnector of claim 1, wherein at least some of the plurality of fastenerreceivers are disposed on a first side of the channel and at least someof the plurality of fastener receivers are disposed on a second side ofthe channel.
 9. The connector of claim 1, wherein the grommet is formedon a first side of the channel and the plurality of fastener receiversincludes at least a first fastener receiver and a second fastenerreceiver disposed on a second side of the channel.
 10. An apparatus,comprising: a flexible substrate; a connector including a firstconnector piece defining a first plurality of through holes and a secondconnector piece defining a second plurality of through holes; and aplurality of mechanical fasteners connecting the connector to theflexible substrate, wherein the first connector piece is disposedadjacent a top surface of the flexible substrate at a periphery of theflexible substrate and the second connector piece is disposed adjacent abottom surface of the flexible substrate adjacent the periphery of theflexible substrate and in opposition to the first connector piece toalign the first plurality of through holes and the second plurality ofthrough holes to define a grommet and to define a plurality of fastenerreceivers, the plurality of mechanical fasteners being inserted throughthe fastener receivers and through the flexible substrate to connect thefirst connector piece, the second connector piece, and the flexiblesubstrate.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first connectorpiece and the second connector piece of the connector define a channelbetween the first connector piece and the second connector piece, andwherein the periphery of the flexible substrate is at least partiallyretained within the channel.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein theperiphery of the flexible substrate includes a reinforced periphery andwherein a portion of the reinforced periphery is retained within thechannel.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the periphery of theflexible substrate is folded over a retainer dimensioned to fit withinthe channel.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first connectorpiece or the second connector piece includes a male connector, whereinanother one of the first connector piece or the second connector pieceincludes a female connector and wherein the male connector connects tothe female connector without passing through the flexible substrate. 15.The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the connector includes a plurality ofconnectors, with a first connector disposed at a first position at aperiphery of the flexible substrate, a second connector disposed at asecond position at a periphery of the flexible substrate, a thirdconnector disposed at a third position at a periphery of the flexiblesubstrate, and a fourth connector disposed at a fourth position at aperiphery of the flexible substrate.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15,further including a fifth connector disposed at a fifth position at aperiphery of the flexible substrate, a sixth connector disposed at asixth position at a periphery of the flexible substrate, a seventhconnector disposed at a seventh position at a periphery of the flexiblesubstrate, and an eighth connector is disposed at an eighth position ata periphery of the flexible substrate.
 17. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the flexible substrate includes at least one of canvas, ripstopcanvas, polyethylene, polyester, polyester coated with polyurethane,polyester oxford, nylon, nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon coated withpolyurethane, ripstop nylon, ripstop fabric, polyvinylchloride, orvinyl.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the flexible substrateincludes a tarp, a covering, a tent, a hammock, luggage, a duffle bag,an amusement device, a parachute, a cargo cover or a covering.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the mechanical fasteners include at leastone of a rivet, a bolt or a pin.
 20. A method of forming a connector fora flexible substrate, comprising: disposing a first connector piece on atop surface of a flexible substrate at a first peripheral portion of theflexible substrate, the first connector piece defining a first pluralityof through holes; aligning a second connector piece on a bottom surfaceof the flexible substrate at the first peripheral portion in oppositionto the first connector piece, the second connector piece defining asecond plurality of through holes; forming a plurality of through holesin the flexible substrate at positions corresponding to the firstplurality of through holes and the second plurality of through holes;and securing the first connector piece and the second connector piece tothe flexible substrate via mechanical fasteners inserted through thefirst plurality of through holes, the second plurality of through holesand the plurality of through holes in the flexible substrate.